TBA President, Others Reflect on Gideon Decision

Calling the U.S. Supreme Court's March 18, 1963, ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright "a massive unfunded mandate," the National Law Journal looks into what is holding back the promise of state-funded legal representation to criminal defendants who cannot afford it, as well as some "new ideas for ways to mend the system with minimal costs." Closer to home, The Contributor, which is sold by homeless vendors in Nashville, delves into the situation by interviewing people who have been served by public defenders, as well as TBA President Jackie Dixon and Metro Nashville Public Defender Dawn Deaner. Also quoting Knox County Public Defender Mark Stephens' recent Dicta article, the Contributor piece paints a picture of all sides not quite satisfied with the situation: clients feeling they were not represented well, and lawyers saying they do the best they can given time and financial constraints. The Contributor story is not available online but if you're in Nashville, buy the paper for $1 and read it.